Wounded American Arrogance Threatens War

Till September 11, the twin towers of the World Trade Centre defined one of the tallest landmarks of New York and symbolised the financial muscle of the world's only surviving superpower. Just as the Pentagon evoked the image of supreme military might and sheer invincibility. Three unprecedented flights of terror changed all that in a matter of just around an hour. The twin towers were reduced to rubble while a partially damaged Pentagon still stands as a poor shadow of its former image. Yet another possible target, the White House, it seems, had a narrow escape as the fourth hijacked plane crashed in Pennsylvania. Thousands of innocent people were killed in these unconscionable terrorist acts, and we will probably never be able to get an exact count.

As is generally the case with such terrorist acts of mass murder, the victims were killed not because who they were but because where they were. The killers too remained invisible, even though this particular act of killing would go down as one of the biggest and cruellest televised spectacles of our electronic times. In its stunning impact, this televised terror could only be compared to the brutality of the Gulf War and the unceasing war against Palestine, to which this was probably a sequel.

For the first time since the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbour, has the US been subjected to such massive devastation. More than the massive loss of lives and property, the Bush administration is haunted by the symbolism of the events of the Bloody Tuesday, the wounded pride and demonstrated vulnerability of a superpower. Characteristically, the US has described the strikes as an attack on freedom, democracy, humanity and civilisation. The logic is simple: the US considers itself the epitome of freedom and democracy, the pinnacle of humanity and civilisation, all its acts of aggression on the rest of the world have been perpetrated in the name of these high-sounding notions and lofty ideals. Washington has also lost no time in naming Osama Bin Laden as the culprit and describing September 11 as the beginning of the first war of the new Century.

While the rhetoric of Washington has been thoroughly predictable, it is impossible to hide the reality. The innumerable acts of aggression perpetrated by the US have been nothing short of a series of unjust wars marked by large-scale application of brutal terror. The fact that by virtue of the US being the world's biggest power, its acts have always claimed to enjoy the sanction of the American state as well as what remains of the United Nations does not make its crime any more 'human' or 'civilised' or any less criminal and barbaric. It is not the American notion of freedom or model of democracy that is under attack, if the US evokes popular resentment and triggers even such fanatic hatred; the culprit is its superpower arrogance, its bullying tactics, and its imperialist policies. There are countries in Europe that offer better applied models of bourgeois freedom and democracy and are not resented a wee bit for that reason by any part of the world.

More specifically, the terrorist networks now targeting the US have all been created and funded by Washington at some stage of their development. It is easy to demonise Bin Laden, but it is not easy to erase the fact that Laden is Washington's own Frankenstein. The Talibans are only a product of the US policy of virulent anti-Sovietism in and around Afghanistan.

Together with responsible international opinion, democratic public opinion in India has also categorically condemned the terrorist crime of September 11. The fact that many people of Indian origin, Indians or Indian-Americans, lost their lives in these attacks also adds to our sense of grief. Equally worrying now are reports of anti-minority harassments in the US, the fact that Muslims and even Sikhs are being singled out for abuse and all kinds of ill treatment in what looks like a growing chauvinist racist backlash. But the biggest and most immediate danger for us emanates not from Washington but from New Delhi.

The BJP-led NDA government seems to have discovered a godsend in the developments of Bloody Tuesday in terms of pushing through its own agenda of communal fascism. In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Vajpayee has already warned about the country about possible fallouts - still greater economic hardship and harsh political measures - while offering complete Indian allegiance to the US in what he visualises as a US-led global front against terrorism. Shorn of phrases what it means is an accelerated drive for liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation on the economic front, curtailment of political democracy and greater institutionalisation of India's strategic subservience to the US and its allies like Israel.

None of it can be acceptable to India. If India allows any 'voluntary' infringement of Indian sovereignty to facilitate any retaliatory American campaign of counter-terror, it will only invite greater isolation for India in the international arena and greater complications in the region with disastrous implications for our own internal affairs and domestic situation. A thoroughly discredited and weakened saffron regime is trying to derive strength and legitimacy by offering greater loyalty to its American masters in the name of combating terrorism. Nothing could be a more dangerous omen for our crisis-ridden country. We must reject this course of strategic subservience to the US and defend our sovereignty and independence. We must resist all suggestions of curtailment of our political liberty and greater regimentation of our political system and uphold the banner of freedom and democracy against all odds.

BJP Must Not Be Allowed to Embroil India in Bush's War Plans

The CPI(ML) in a statement said "Soaked in its superpower arrogance, the Bush administration has already declared war on whoever it suspects to be a terrorist or aiding and abetting terrorism... As Indians we are especially worried because the primary theatre of this war is likely to be very close to our own borders. ... The BJP rulers of the country are going out of their way to endorse and echo the Bush administration's war cry. They have not even bothered or dared to utter a single word of concern over the growing incidence of abuse and attacks on Indians, especially Sikhs, in the US. While the European allies of the US are busy distancing themselves from the American war plans, New Delhi is dying to jump on to the Bush bandwagon. It is rightly said that fools rush in where angels fear to tread...

The Vajpayee government has again and again repeated its offer of total allegiance to the Bush administration. Such a course obviously entails enormous costs and the government is busy devising ways to realise this staggering cost from the Indian people in terms of still greater economic hardship and curtailment of democratic rights. ...

None of it can be acceptable to India. ... We appeal to all peace-loving patriotic and democratic Indians to reject and resist this saffron course of strategic subservience to the US. By allying with the US and by inviting and facilitating greater American intervention in the region, the Vajpayee government is posing a serious threat to India's own sovereignty and independence and giving terrorism a more fertile ground to flourish in the region. We must prevent this national disaster.

Masaurhi March Opposing Killing of Dalits

As decided in the Bihar State Conference, Party launched a week-long people's campaign opposing killing of dalits from 6 to 13 September. Under this campaign dozens of teams were formed in Gaya, Patna, Jahanabad and Nalanda districts and a mass contact programme was conducted. A team led by Com. Rameshwar Prasad and Vidyanand Vikal visited around 25 villages in Dhanarua block. Three other teams contacted in 50 villages in the Dhanarua-Masaurhi area. Similarly, In Jahanabad, more than 70 villages were contacted in various blocks. In the concluding phase of the campaign, Masaurhi March was organised on 14 September from Datmai and Jahanabad. Around eight thousand people led by Com. Nand Kishor Prasad, PB member participated in the march. The mass meeting held in Gandhi Maidan, Masaurhi, was addressed by Com. Dipankar who said that the time has come when the killers in uniform will be crushed under the rock of unity of the people, however mighty their patrons may seem to be. Accusing RJD Govt. for patronising criminals Com. Dipankar said that poor dalits were killed by Jainandan gang at the instance of Laloo Yadav and his minister, because on the one hand they wanted to suppress the assertion of dalits and on the other to create a rift between backwards and struggling dalits. He also criticised the state govt. for not introducing the system of reservation in panchayat elections.

The meeting was presided over by peasant leader Com. Shivpujan Yadav and addressed by other party leaders including Com. Ramjatan Sharma, Nand Kishor Prasad, KD Yadav, Rameshwar Prasad, Kunti Devi, Shashi Yadav, Vidyanand Vikal. Resolutions read out by Com. Gopal Ravidas were passed by the gathering with thunderous applause. It has been decided to stage a dharna before the Assembly on 25 September against massacre of dalits.

Prisoners' Hunger Strike Against Dalit Killing

Prisoners of Beur Central Jail, Patna numbering 320 staged one-day hunger strike on 12 September under the banner of Prisoners' Welfare Committee to protest killings of dalits. They demanded from the govt. to take immediate steps for checking these killings.

Movement Against Eviction Intensifies

Ignoring all appeals and protests by the residents beside Tolly Nulla against eviction, the state govt. and Kolkata Municipal Corporation has declared war against the poor inhabitants and given a dateline of 22 September. The state govt. and KMC are desperate to evict the people without caring for their rehabilitation in the name of beautifying the city and so determined are the poor people led by 'Forum against eviction' and 'Tollynaula Basinda Committee' to resist it. On 12 Sep. led by Com. Arijit Mitra and Joyatu Deshmukh they blocked the roads at Garia for 1 hour and at Hazra Mor led by Com. Prabir Das and Subhashis Dutta, where police conducted lathi-charge, injuring several people including women. Demonstration was also organised at Esplanade East under the leadership of Com. Gautam Sen. On 13 Sep., protest meetings were organised at various points. On 14 Sep., a mass-hunger strike was organised in which mainly women of the area took part. On 15, a Padayatra of 500 people covered 7 k.m. in which prominent intellectuals Tarun Sannyal, Sunanda Sannyal and Party leaders Com. Kartik Pal, Partha Ghosh and Arijit Mitra took part. A mass appeal has been made to the Supreme Court on behalf of the residents and another one by the traders' association of the area. A letter has also been sent to V. P. Singh seeking his solidarity. Appeals have also been made to the partners of the Left Front seeking their support. Protest actions would continue and the residents are determined to resist bulldozers that may be sent by the State Govt. and the Corporation to raze their huts to the ground.

Padyatra in Naugarh, U.P.

The Rajnath Singh Govt. has created a reign of terror through false encounters and police repression in the adivasi dominated area of Naugarh in Chanduli district of U.P. Protesting this conspiracy and demanding democracy, development and peace a week-long padyatra was started on 12 September under the leadership of Party's UP State Secy. Com. Akhilendra Pratap Singh after a mass meeting at Gangapur village near Naugarh. A team of 50 leaders, activists and supporters is visiting different villages to hold meetings there. According to recent reports the padyatra has drawn encouraging response from the villagers. On 19 September the padyatra will be culminated in a large mass meeting at Naugarh.

IRASU Submitted Memorandum to President of India

Indian Railway Artisan Staff Union (IRASU) submitted a memorandum to the President of India urging abolition of wage ceiling for calculation of bonus. The memorandum draws attention to the anomaly in wage ceiling provision that after the implementation of 5th central pay commission's report (w.e.f. 1-1-96), the minimum basic pay of a group 'D' worker is Rs 2550 per month whereas the wage ceiling for the calculation of bonus remains at the old rate, i.e., Rs 2550 per month. It means that even a group 'D' employee is being deprived of full bonus as one month's salary (8.33%).

A five member delegation of IRASU leaders comprising Com. AC Sharma, president, Rabi Sen, Gen. Secy., S Chatterjee BN Das and AK Raut submitted the memorandum signed by thousands of railwaymen to the President of India on 14 September.

Party Demands Dissolution of UP Assembly

In a press statement CPI (ML) said that with the resignation of MLAs belonging to the largest opposition, SP, the present Legislative Assembly in UP has lost its relevance and the autocratic Rajnath Singh Govt. must go now. UP Assembly therefore be dissolved forthwith and elections be conducted at the earliest.

'Learn Marxism Campaign' in Chennai

In Chennai, the Party and the AICCTU, have taken up "Learn Marxism Campaign" among vanguards as part of cadre development. Study materials comprised articles from Liberation. There was also a discussion on the characterisation of Indian capital, on retreival of Marxism, crisis of capitalism and other issues. Com. Murugan, City Committee member summed up the discussions. This apart, two sessions were held on the same subjects among 25 Party comrades. They were also involved in groups in the discussion on Wage, Labour and Capital.

In an attempt to broaden this campaign, about 250 workers have so far been approached. First they were contacted in their workplaces and explained the significance of study circles. Then classes were organised on globalisation and workers' movement, Wage, Labour and Capital and state's role in perfecting exploitation. It is planned to mobilise 500 workers in study circles by involving the vanguards identified in the 'Learn Marxism' campaign.

AICCTU Protest Police Attack on Workers

While they were trying to block the removal of materials from the factory premises, workers of Kutty Flush Door in Chennai were attacked by the local police in which one worker's bone was fractured. AICCTU organised a demonstration on 11 September in which workers of all other units of AICCTU participated. They demanded reopening of the factory, compensation for the injured worker including medical expenses. Com. AS Kumar addressed the gathering. Other speakers included Com. KR Palaniappan, Bhuvana, Manjula and Velayudham. The demonstration was led by Com. SA Jaikumar.

CPI(ML), AISA, RYA Protest Hooch Tragedy

A demonstration was held in Chennai on 11 September condemning the hooch tragedy in Menambedu near Ambattur. The demonstrators demanded immediate action against those responsible for the deaths and compensation to the families of the deceased.

AISA Protest in Lucknow

AISA in Lucknow organised a procession and staged a demonstration before the Vice Chancellor's office in the University against saffronisation of education on 10 September. Protesting the introduction of syllabus containing astrology and religious rites, they demanded that the increase in fees and reduction of seats must be withdrawn and scholarships to dalits be paid. A 9-point memorandum was submitted to the Vice Chancellor. On these demands AISA organised a bandh in the campus on 14 September.

Parallel Workers Conference in Lucknow

Terming the Mazdoor Panchayat called by the Chief Minister Rajnath Singh as a hoax, AICCTU organised a parallel workers' convention on 10 September, which was presided over jointly by Com. RN Upadhyay, state president of AICCTU and Hari Singh. Workers from weaving mills, NTC, tannery as well as construction workers and representatives of Taxi-Tempo Federation participated in the convention. Those who addressed the convention included labour leaders including Anantram Vajpayee, Vijay Vidrohi, Dhanraj Sethi, Babulal and Shiv Kumar. The convention strongly condemned UP government's decisions to auction 11 sugar mills and demanded resumption of production in NTC mills and holding tripartite talks for wage revision. A memorandum containing 17-point package was sent to the Governor. It was decided that in order to expose the anti-worker policies of Rajnath govt. and the drama of Mazdoor Panchayat, dharna and demonstration will be organised at factory gates on 17 September and a demonstration will be held before Assembly on 25 September.

Fast unto Death in Arrah Jail Demanding Release

Students who were arrested on 6 September from the recruitment centre in Arrah and lodged in Arrah jail started fast unto death since 14 September demanding their release. RYA and AISA staged a demonstration at the Arrah Collectorate to press the same demand. Similar demonstrations were held at various district headquarters in Bihar on 16 September.

Left and Centrist Opposition against Logistic Support to US

Left and centrist opposition has in general cautioned the Vajpayee govt. over jumping overboard to join Bush's war efforts. CPI(M) said that Vajpayee govt. has behaved in an "utterly irresponsible manner" in keeping with the policy of winning US approval and acting as its junior partner by immediately announcing that India is willing to cooperate with the United States in all ways if the later decides to launch any military action. The CPI Central Secretariat said that jingoistic statement from the Bush administration cause serious alarm of peace-loving people the world over.

Laloo Yadav ridiculed the Centre's attempt to join the 'global war' and asked Centre to adopt a cautious approach on providing help to the US in its action against terrorists as India did not enjoy good relations with neighbouring countries. "Now the govt. fighting local wars is tempted to join the global war", he commented.

Samajwadi Party leader Janeshwar Mishra said, "Centre should desist from allowing the use of Indian airspace or ground support in the event of US launching military strikes in Afghanistan. Extending logistic support to the US would amount to compromising our national sovereignty." Commenting on incidents of attack on minority Sikhs and Muslims in the wake of terrorist attacks in the US, he said, "terrorism should not be identified with a particular religion."

A meeting of representatives of various political parties and social movements including CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), RSP, JS(S), SP, and Narmada Bachao, Navadanya, Bharat Jan Andolan, etc, issued a press statement expressing concern over American war cries coupled with the xenophobia that is being fanned up in the US resulting in the incidents of attack on Indians and South Asians. The meeting asked Vajpayee not to compromise national security and sovereignty by jumping to join the US war of aggression. The US must not be allowed any use of Indian soil or space for its war purpose, it said.

Seminar on Literary Criticism and Politics

Jan Sanskriti Manch organised a well-attended seminar on 'Literary criticism and politics' at Hindustani Academy, Allahabad on 10 September. It was divided into two sessions: the first one on the topic "Politics of literary criticism" and second one on "Contemporary literary criticism and politics". Introducing the topic on the first session, noted Hindi critic Dr Manager Pandey said that starting from Sanskrit poetry, all literature betrays political outlook, and similar is the case with all criticism. Commentaries on Vedic literature are not officially accorded the status of criticism, nevertheless they are nothing but literary critiques reflecting politics of the era. Today attempts are there to prove that Kabir was a devout Hindu and he opposed religious transformation, whereas Kabir is known for his attacks on religious fundamentalism of both Hindu and Muslim kind. Literary criticism, like literature, is time relative and reflects history, which is never devoid of politics. This session was presided over jointly by Dr Rajendra Kumar and Dr Aqil Rizwi and conducted by Neelabh. Important interventions were made by Dr Lal Bahadur Verma and Sudhanshu Malviya. In his presidential address, Dr Rajendra Kumar pointed out the self-contradictions of Lohiaite critic Vijaydev Narain Shahi. Dr Aqil Rizwi showed that Kabir was very much influenced by the Sufi tradition and attempts to bracket him with Hindu tradition were patently wrong.

Introducing the topic in the second session, Dr Ravibhushan pointed out that literary criticism in Hindi today was sidetracking from the major issues of contemporary society like globalisation and starvation deaths and critics are involved in petty brawls. Criticism should therefore transcend the periphery of literature and search for major questions in society at large. Important interventions were made by story writer Nilkant, who said that contemporary criticism has avoided writings on workers and peasants and is loaded with middle class outlook and class source must be investigated in assessing literary criticism. The session was presided over by Dr Fatmi and Ramji Rai. Dr Fatmi pointed towards attempts to thrust particular ruling class ideas through academies and pointed to the struggle between two trends in Urdu literature. Ramji Rai in his address said that today in Hindi literature and criticism there is a trend of lumpency, which finds its class roots in lumpen bourgeoisie. This aesthetic sense views life and truth only superficially, making a mockery of anything and everything. This pseudo left criticism is post-modern in its language and subaltern in style. The vision, which divides society in caste compartments under the pretext of championing social justice, fails to offer an effective resistance to communal fascism. In the struggle against communal fascism the task in not limited to defend the existing democracy but to deepen and widen it. Criticising post-modern and subaltern trends he said that our vision is holistic, however, we can accommodate relative social visions like dalitist or feminist visions in the struggle against common enemy. Yet it cannot be an eclectic combination, it has to be a dialectical unity.